Anime: Love Hina Again

Better than even the original series and the Specials, I think Love Hina Again is a fitting way to conclude the series. Everything is wrapped up, a fairly interesting plot, and a new character is introduced.

The animation is typical of a Love Hina series, with good character animation, facial changes/emotions are well done, but the background consists of boring 2D drawings.

The soundtrack was great; opening and ending songs for every episode of series was good, voice actors did a marvelous job, especially Kanako and Keitaro.

The story was interesting, but definately predictable and not very complex. A new character is introduced, Kanako, and it is interesting to see how her inclusion changes the dynamic in Hinata Apartments and especially the effect on Keitaro and Naru's relationships. The theme of "promises" is continued in this series (as we saw in the first series with promises to Moe, Naru, and Mutsumi) and the drama that stems from these promises comes to a head in this series.

It is obvious in this anime that Keitaro has matured, and is no longer completely clumsy or a loser, and is actually capable of going five seconds without tripping onto one of the girl's breasts and getting beaten up. I love the new Keitaro, and I like how he thinks about the future of his life and his own dreams. Naru's development as she strives to admit her feelings for Keitaro despite her stubbornness is also amusing and dramatic.

The best part about the series was the introduction of Kanako. She has become one of my favorite characters in the "Love Hina" saga, despite only coming into being in the anime series in these episodes.

In this series we also get a bit of development for Motoko and Shinobu. Each comes to terms with their futures and their feelings for Keitaro.

For Love Hina fans, this is a must-see. For people who thought Love Hina was a bit juvenile or repetitive, these Love Hina OVAs give depth to the series.

I enjoyed these OVAs more than even the original Love Hina TV series; the jokes were funnier (pehaps because they were scarce and not repeated over and over), the romance was engaging, and the drama exciting.

I'd be lying if I told you I loved this series; actually, I'd be lying if I told you that I even liked it. This was the final step in a downward spiral that started with the Spring Special and only got worse here.

Story:
Story? What story? Does fanservice count as a story? Are you sure it doesn't? OK then... well, there's the backstory that you ought to know from Love Hina + Specials, especially the dynamic between Keitaro and Naru. That doesn't actually progress much here, though, as the main plotline is Keitaro's younger sister, who decides to try and seduce him. Yeah.

Oh, and they also have magic play an overt and important role here, whereas in the original Love Hina it was only really hinted at and always downplayed. You can always tell when a series has run out of steam when it introduces magic well past the halfway point. It's really kind of sad.

Also, they spend a lot of time talking about their feelings in a manner which just doesn't seem to connect with the audience, and the climax scene in the last episode just feels forced.

Still, they do end up providing an actual resolution to the storyline, so it's not a complete loss. It just feels like they could have done a much better job of finding an ending that meshes better with the rest of the series (I'm told that the manga does a good job of this, though I haven't actually read it myself).

Characters:
The characters are already there, and they don't really do anything incredibly out of character. That said, there's not a whole lot of development either. Aside from the sister, everyone remains the same, though Nara does (finally) change a bit, just as it all wraps up; whether that would be a permanent change, or just essentially another temporary mood swing, would likely depend on a sequel (which they won't be making).

Animation:
If you love fanservice, you'll love Love Hina Again. Otherwise, the animation was good, but far from great. Visually stunning would not be an apt description here.

Sound:
Meh. The dub blows, but the dub was never good. The sub was OK but nothing particularly special.

Value:
Would I watch it again? Only if I was REALLY bored. And honestly if I was that bored I'd probably do something productive instead.

Enjoyment:
I didn't completely hate watching it, and it was actually kind of fun at times. But I kept saying "this is so stupid" way too often to get much out of it, and you'll probably have the same experience. Watch it if you're just dying to know how everything turns out in the Love Hina universe, but otherwise don't even bother.

The (failed) try to end the series and satisfy the fans, while using more ideas from the manga.

The animation is really good, colourful with nice backgrounds. Movement is really good, there are no freeze and/or repeated frames. The chara design was changed and the whole cast looks now matured. Keitarou's design was changed to make him look older and more experienced, he bears a lot of resemblance to Seta-san now. But not just him, the rest of the cast went through changes too. Especially Shinobu, Kaolla and Mai.

The music is again on a high level. The opening, Kirari Takaramono, is sung by Yui Horie, Naru's voice, who already did the opening for the tv series. Though it's very different from the original opening, it's still nice and energetic and fits to this OVA. For the ending Xebec thought of something new. Instead of having the same sequence for all three episodes, they not only changed the animation for every episode, they also changed the singer for every episode. In the first episode it's sung by Yui Horie. The rhythm is partly slow, partly fast and gives you a warm feeling when hearing the song. In the second episode it's sung by Natsuko Kuwatani, Kanaka's seiyuu. This version is slow, gentle and sounds melancholic. The last version is done by Yuji Ueda and Yui Horie, Keitarou and Naru. This version is fast and happy and shows a lot of contrast to the other two. The style of the songs fits to the characters and to the flow of the series. The animation for each version is nicely done and fitting to the rhythm, nice job.

But we shouldn't forget the background music and the work of the seiyuus too. The background music fits always to the scenes, some tunes from the tv series are reused, but they've also undergone a change like the characters. I wished for a bit more variation of the tracks, but that's the only complain I have for it.
The seiyuu's work is as good as it was in the series. No wonder since the whole cast was again done by the same people and only one new character appeared in the series. Noteable is Keitarou's voice, Yuji Ueda (Akito Tenkawa in Nadesico). He does a great job to make Keitarou sound matured and really different from the series. His voice acting really makes you notice Keitarou's improvement through the 24 episodes and 3 specials. Kanako's voice is done by Natsuko Kuwatani (Karen from Sister Princess), who covers up for all the faults her character has and gives Kanako more development through her voice than the creators did with the script. The third main character's, Naru's, voice was done by Yui Horie (Ayu from Kanon and Ultra Maniac). She's one of my favourite seiyuus, not only does she great work all the time but also her singing is really good. Her voice acting in this OVA is on a high level as always, though I wished she would show a bit more improvement/difference to the original series.

And now to the weak points of this OVA.

First the characters. While they had a great premise thanks to the new and improved design and the same seiyuus they fail to be as loveable as they were in the series. This is partly because of the screen time most of them are given and partly because of the other weak points of Love Hina Again. Most of the time the plot plays only around Keitarou, Naru and Kanako. While Keitarou shows the most improvement in the series and is by far the best character in this three-parter, the other two fail great time. It's as if the script-writer forgot the end of the tv series and the specials. Naru acts as if this is the beginning of Love Hina and not Love Hina Again. She also doesn't show any development in this three episodes. Kanako on the other side suffers from the way the creators made her act. Her character was only taken out of the manga, but all other things which belonged to her character were dropped. She acts the whole time like a spoiled brat and makes every viewer dislike her. Her attitude is the worst and no further explanations and development are given to change that fact. I know that only three episodes aren't enough to involve every character of this big cast and give everybody the proper development. But still, Again failes to give most them development.

Another weak point is the amount of fanservice. While in Love Hina the level of fanservice was decent and didn't distract too much from the series and the romance itself, in Love Hina Again it's only fanservice after fanservice. That destroys the feeling you had when watching the tv series and specials a lot. It doesn't feel right and doesn't go well with the series. Well, you can't expect them to have less fanservice in an OVA. The fans have to be pleased and get something for their money, too bad that most aren't pleased by the way they show the beloved characters...

The last weak point is the story-telling and the end of Love Hina Again. It's a nice thing that they tried to involve some other parts of the Love Hina Manga, like Kanako. But the way they did it wasn't nice anymore. In fact they are forgetting not only how the manga went on, but also the end of the tv series and the specials. Most of the time this OVA feels like it took a step back, to a time before the specials. The end was really disappointing, it would have been better if they left it end with the specials.

I enjoyed this show (mostly because it's the last animated Love Hina out there), even though I disliked all the fanservice, Kanako and the way they told the story and let it end. You have to see this show if you are a fan of Love Hina or did see the tv series, even if only because of the matured character design. But when you watch it don't let it influence your opinion of the anime and manga. This OVA has nothing to do with them both, except for the characters and background story. Think of the 24th episode and the specials as an end for the animated Love Hina and read the second half of the manga for the real end.

I for myself am still hoping for a second Love Hina series which shows the rest of the manga in a proper way and lets me forget this OVA.

Love Hina Again was definitely not as good as the Love Hina series.. it was completely different then of the manga!! Wat were they thinking!! Its still pretty good though.

The story goes as of Keitaro goes away to study in a foreign country and when he comes back there was a lot of havoc going around. To his suprise, his lil sister was there.. and as for naru.. always the same.. but in the end, *hahah.. u got to watch it*

It was a good ending overall... too bad love hina again is the last we would see... :( i really enjoyed it overall... great series... :)

This continuation of Love Hina actually wasn't that bad...

The Story

The biggest story change in anime continuation's I have EVER seen:

• Keitaro and Narusegawa successfully make it into Tokyo U! Yea...and all the emphasis on the promise that ruled over Love Hina went to shit when Keitaro decides to go excavating with Seta.


• Kanako visits the Hinata Inn to take charge over Keitaro as manager. Somehow, someway, the creators of Love Hina managed to work creatively a little sister into the story. How cunning.

Now that the ultimate goal of getting into Tokyo U is out of the way, Keitaro and Narusegawa just "gotta get the love goin'." But no - the general irony in Love Hina would somehow pervert its way into a massive adventure that solves nothing in the end. Oh wait...no adventure? Interesting. Love Hina Again takes a more sexual environment: as well as some development on Keitaro.

The story in Love Hina didn't rush as quickly as this one did; although this one was only 3 episodes in the first place. The contrast of speed of story progression is tremendous between this OVA and the TV series Love Hina. Unfortunately, this would have been much better if there was more to the original story - and this is the most self-defeating problem within all of the Love Hina atmosphere.

Ecchi, Ecchi, Ecchi...but its cool!

I really liked the ecchi in Love Hina Again! There are a lot more pantsu shots, boobs jiggling, and the level of partial nudity (nothing actually shown; but indicated) is significantly higher than before. This makes the story feel less serious at first - but later on it's funnier and cuter than ever.

At the beginning the animation begins very much the same as Love Hina, but as soon as you see Narusegawa, its totally different. She has many more curves and less braun than in the first series or specials. Also, the use of emotional responses (such as embarassment, anger, etc.) were less exaggerated and appeared to be more cute than eccentric. I kinda liked this change, it made Narusegawa a lot cuter; and also, everyone else.

As for everyone else, I agree that Shinobu and Kaolla look MUCH more mature...and to add to that Motoko puts on the full feminine style. *drools* More importantly, Keitaro finally hits the "bishounen" value - the drawing of him isn't as weak, although the -crash dummy- mode he had is gone...sigh.

Character has its ups and downs, but levels out with Love Hina.

Beware: Narusegawa and Keitaro almost switch places...entirely. Besides the change of Narusegawa as an animated babe, she now has the attitude I think she needed in Love Hina. For example, Narusegawa would hit Keitaro for often the most pathetic reasons, but in this particular animation she had a much more passive and innocent approach. In fact, often times I was glad she hit him when she did - this OVA series really took Narusegawa to the other limit.

As for Keitaro, his attitude is much more confident, and all of his weaknesses were cast mostly onto Naruesgawa. Though Keitaro still is a pervert, he proves his maturity with every action he does in Love Hina Again.

Sound: Not much to say.

I was really indifferent to the music in Love Hina...so I feel indifferent to this music as well. Perhaps if I payed more attention to it I would change my mind, but the music didn't bring a different sound to my ear, so it just sustains the story. The bg music is adequate as well - I'll just say that the music is easy listening.

As for the voice acting, it is just as good as what I found in Love Hina. I must say that Otohime reigns as the queen of the "soft & sweet" voice. Narusegawa still has that tomboy routine with her different attitude; and to add to that - I found her voice more settling with her attitude in Love Hina Again.

Altogether: Slightly improved the way I see it...

Call me baka...I just think the attitudes of Narusegawa and Keitaro are much more realistic than they ever were before. Naru's constantly swaying feelings leave the watcher begging to reach episode 3 to see the result - and it is a good one. ^_^ And the rewatch value isn't too bad - the ending still is complete, but it doesn't make the adventure to the end of it bad to watch again at all.

Unlike Love Hina, I think Love Hina Again can have a larger audience, as many guys would begin to appreciate the Love Hina Universe. This is a continuation, which means that newbies and beginners would be better off watching the rest of the Love Hina Universe before approaching this one. Tama tama!

The animation is the same as the other LH parts: colourful and clear, good motion sequences - though weird ones at times :P
I don't see visible improvements in comparison to the TV series, but it doesn't really need any anyway.

The opening theme "Kirari Takaramono" is performed by Yui Horie, voice actor of Naru. I liked the TV series song, but I can't say the same from this one. It's acceptable. But the ending theme - Be For You, Be For Me - is good, you should give this rather soft and happy song a try. Vocals differ. Ep 1 by Yui Horie, ep 2 by Natsuko Kuwatani (aka "new character") and in ep 3 Yui Horie is accompanied by Ueda Yuuji - aka Keitaro. Each version has another rhythm, my favourite is the "final duet". The background music it not more than decent, the Voice acting is ok.

Love Hina Again starts where the Spring Special ended - Keitarou and Naru finally made it into Toudai (Tokyo U.). But you know Love Hina; instead of everything being wonderful now, new trouble comes up. I.e. the story. It not only fails in grabbing the "LH spirit", which was one of the good points, but also in trying to be creative. There are too weird things happening. It reminded me of Mission: Impossible 2. And there is too much magical stuff (for my taste, that is). The illogicalness factor is just too high, it seemed quite ridiculous to me. Not that media/anime/LH is logical, but you know what I mean. And the ending was disappointing. Somehow I expected it to be not that rushed and at least with a bit of glamour. But it ended up being stupid (even for LH). My advice: don't expect much.

There are all the characters you already know from the tv series. What you probably will notice is the more mature look of Shinobu and Kaolla. But no worries, their characteristics haven't changed ;)
You meet one new female character, an important one even. She is complicated. As the show progresses you get to know a few things about her and her past, but it's not enough that I could say she is a great character with a good development. I don't like her and I think she doesn't really fit into LH. The only other character actually getting a bit development is Shinobu. So the characters are good as they are, but no more development.

Not much real value; quite disappointing continuation; only 3 eps (or should I say: fortunately?). If you burned the other parts of LH I guess you'll burn this, too. Otherwise there is absolutely no need to, most of you won't rewatch this anyway. I surely won't for a looooong time.

Too few charme, unusual few fun, the usual amount of ecchi. It's not that it is boring, but if you compare to the TV series and the two specials (or at least to the Winter Special), this is disappointing. Some may enjoy the magical aspects of this show, but I didn't. And the "mysterious" factor failed in my eyes. I just can't overlook those two things I disliked, hence the low rating. But after all, it is part of LH, so if you liked LH, you should watch this - but keep your expectations low.